Robin and Joker now showing Sold Out, Product Retired on FTC & CTVT sites

[MIB41]

^I think the reason many of us are surprised is that FTC/CTVT, other than maybe some Kiss waves, hasn't had a license that sold out this quickly or without being discounted.

With the way FTC has handled other not-as-popular licenses, it was hard to discern if the business model was actually to sell out or to keep certain items in stock in perpetuity.

It's clear now if you want them, then you need to go ahead and get them like any other collectible toy. That's good for all parties, imo. Sure were not going to be able to buy the sold out figures at a discount down the line, but this will prompt the online toys stores and maybe brick and mortar comics/specialty shops to order forthcoming waves with confidence as those who have missed out from ordering directly from FTC seek the figures elsewhere. That should mean more new figures for us.

The big question, though, is will such retailers hold the line and sell at suggested retail or will they test market, like some do with comics. Even with FTC sold out, these figures aren't truly rare and shouldn't command more than the suggested retail price. But business is business.

I agree. When I took note of all the characters they planned to make, I immediately thought these would have to be short production runs, because once you get into the second tier characters, I'm sure sells drop off measurably. They definitely understand their market.

[jayraytee]

I kind of figured that when they offered the series 1 Batman figures in different packaging (the two packs) it meant that either the stock of those figures was going down or sales on them had started to slow down or maybe both. They probably generated more sales on those figures just by changing the card they are attached to. It's quite smart. And colectors don't feel ripped off because they do end up with a very nice looking limited edition collectable.

[huedell]

I agree. When I took note of all the characters they planned to make, I immediately thought these would have to be short production runs, because once you get into the second tier characters, I'm sure sells drop off measurably. They definitely understand their market.

Wish they'd tell us about "the market"---or their view of it---or their plan, or whatever.

If those of you are correct with what you're explaining, then the only thing I'm finding interesting about this line is the figures I don't have already. I'm not going to get myself mixed up in buying up a whole line where it's likely figures will sell out that quickly with such short runs.

It's likely I won't even buy Alfred now. Not because it's a poor figure, but because a figure has to be overly desirable to me to be forced to buy it in a very small window of time. It's why I don't own even ONE of those jumbo Star Wars vintage-style figures. I see why others are playing along w/FTC though. I buy everything Masters Of The Universe Classics releases. That's a line I'll do that for.

Tough as the MOTUC line is, at least their consumer base isn't so in the dark about what the company's strategy is, that all their consumer base can do is have certain consumers speculate a strategy, and hand out compliments to a plan that may or may not be the reality.

[madmarva]

It will be interesting to see what figures linger and what figures sell out more quickly. Alfred may go quickly being a new figure, but then again, it's Alfred, a supporting character at best. A lot of collectors might not be interested at all.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

Wish they'd tell us about "the market"---or their view of it---or their plan, or whatever.

If those of you are correct with what you're explaining, then the only thing I'm finding interesting about this line is the figures I don't have already. I'm not going to get myself mixed up in buying up a whole line where it's likely figures will sell out that quickly with such short runs.

It's likely I won't even buy Alfred now. Not because it's a poor figure, but because a figure has to be overly desirable to me to be forced to buy it in a very small window of time. It's why I don't own even ONE of those jumbo Star Wars vintage-style figures. I see why others are playing along w/FTC though. I buy everything Masters Of The Universe Classics releases. That's a line I'll do that for.

Tough as the MOTUC line is, at least their consumer base isn't so in the dark about what the company's strategy is, that all their consumer base can do is have certain consumers speculate a strategy, and hand out compliments to a plan that may or may not be the reality.

So make more great figures or stop and take time to explain their marketing strategy to a buncha fanboys on Mego Museum.

Hmmmm....what would be the best use of their time...

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

It will be interesting to see what figures linger and what figures sell out more quickly. Alfred may go quickly being a new figure, but then again, it's Alfred, a supporting character at best. A lot of collectors might not be interested at all.

Disagree, Alfred will probably sell better than some of the figures Mego has already made, especially the common ones. In fact I would suspect the numbers for the 'new' characters would, on average, be larger than the re-releases.

[pmwasson]

I think they didn't control their inventory so well in the past and have learned from their mistakes. It is in their best interest to have products move and not sit on shelves. So if they build up the idea that if you don't buy the figures now, you'll have to pay more on the secondary market later, they will do more business. I actually think they are doing a great job of keeping people interested and generating sales, which is what a business is suppose to do.

[Brown Bear]

I think they didn't control their inventory so well in the past and have learned from their mistakes. It is in their best interest to have products move and not sit on shelves. So if they build up the idea that if you don't buy the figures now, you'll have to pay more on the secondary market later, they will do more business. I actually think they are doing a great job of keeping people interested and generating sales, which is what a business is suppose to do.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Paul.

[huedell]

So make more great figures or stop and take time to explain their marketing strategy to a buncha fanboys on Mego Museum.

Hmmmm....what would be the best use of their time...

I don't know. Depends on the impact one route would have over the other. One things is for sure, it's not UNUSUAL for adult collector companies to share marketing strategy w/their consumers so they can make more informed choices. You may devalue yourself as a "fanboy", but you're more than that---you're a customer too. Frankly, I'm confused on what their strategy is. And I wish I had more explanation than I have gotten from speculating Mego Museum members. Oh yeah---and your choices? Not really realistic to make them as such. FTC could, in reality, choose to do BOTH things.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

I don't know. Depends on the impact one route would have over the other. One things is for sure, it's not UNUSUAL for adult collector companies to share marketing strategy w/their consumers so they can make more informed choices. You may devalue yourself as a "fanboy", but you're more than that---you're a customer too. Frankly, I'm confused on what their strategy is. And I wish I had more explanation than I have gotten from speculating Mego Museum members. Oh yeah---and your choices? Not really realistic to make them as such. FTC could, in reality, choose to do BOTH things.

And then people like you would complain that the figures are delayed. And they would be delayed because they stopped to explain their marketing strategy to you.

[huedell]

And then people like you would complain that the figures are delayed. And they would be delayed because they stopped to explain their marketing strategy to you.

Imagining to know what I would do in a given scenario is faulty reasoning.
If you're conjecturing that I'd react that way, then I can *assure* you that you're absolutely wrong.
But, hey, that's besides the point. You are really reaching in trying to "win" on this point... figures don't get delayed because of consumer interaction.
Companies interact and release statements of market strategies all the time. Just read the other companies sections' on this very Mego Museum.
You can love the line man, but to make up what you "know" I'm thinking and for you to claim something that other companies have set precedent to the contrary really weakens your footing here.
I make assumptions constantly, yes, but I always leave room in that I admit I'm conjecturing based on precedence. It helps to show that I'm more in touch with the possibilities that reality holds.

[jwyblejr]

Wish they'd tell us about "the market"---or their view of it---or their plan, or whatever.

If those of you are correct with what you're explaining, then the only thing I'm finding interesting about this line is the figures I don't have already. I'm not going to get myself mixed up in buying up a whole line where it's likely figures will sell out that quickly with such short runs.

It's likely I won't even buy Alfred now. Not because it's a poor figure, but because a figure has to be overly desirable to me to be forced to buy it in a very small window of time. It's why I don't own even ONE of those jumbo Star Wars vintage-style figures. I see why others are playing along w/FTC though. I buy everything Masters Of The Universe Classics releases. That's a line I'll do that for.

Tough as the MOTUC line is, at least their consumer base isn't so in the dark about what the company's strategy is, that all their consumer base can do is have certain consumers speculate a strategy, and hand out compliments to a plan that may or may not be the reality.

Seriously? You're using Mattel as an example? They keep people in the dark quite a lot about what they are doing.

[huedell]

Seriously? You're using Mattel as an example? They keep people in the dark quite a lot about what they are doing.

Maybe from a broad POV. I'm not versed on that context. But Mattel's "Matty" sect (adult collectors there) always interacts...almost to a fault according to some.
So... in THAT sense: Yes. "Seriously". I'm using Mattel/Matty as (what I see as) a "great" example.

[ThePlayerOnTheOtherSide]

Imagining to know what I would do in a given scenario is faulty reasoning.

Just a guess based on your thoughts/rants on this topic. It appears that you are seeing these figures through a very critical eye because they didn't release the exact assortment that you wanted at launch.

They didn't because doing so would have been a bad business decision, for the most part.

Or maybe you just like to argue. I tend to think that's probably it. Which can be fun sometimes, but not all the time.

[PNGwynne]

Imagining to know what I would do in a given scenario is faulty reasoning. If you're conjecturing that I'd react that way, then I can *assure* you that you're absolutely wrong... I make assumptions constantly, yes, but I always leave room in that I admit I'm conjecturing based on precedence. It helps to show that I'm more in touch with the possibilities that reality holds.

Actually, it's easy IMO to conjecture what you might post here--you're consistently contrarian. It's not a question of imagination. In fact, if one reviews your posts en masse, one sees that you'll revise your opinion or even contradict yourself to continue arguing. And arguing is not the same as making an argument.

I suppose you'll think I'm an arrogant, uninformed jerk for posting this. It seems to me you think that of some of us; perhaps some of us think that of you.

I do understand you in a certain sense--I have expectations, hopes, personal criteria I'd like met as a collector. My pickiness and pessimism challenge me every day. I'd like to persuade people, too about my concerns or ideas. I just refuse to do it in the badgering, belittling way you sometimes choose.

The real question is, is all this bludgeoning making you happy? If so, that's sad IMO. Most of us come here to enjoy ourselves in a different way, and frankly I'd like/understand/respect you more if you could expressively vent in some other way than multi-quote harangues.

Just my opinion--admittedly, possibly an "off" one. After all, I still think Penguin is an important Batman foe.